Zen state of mind

Mother-daughter duo NEENA and MASABA GUPTA document their journey to Ananda in the Himalayas,where they found a deeper connect—within themselves and with each other.By SHEREE GOMES GUPTA

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“We enjoyed nature while connecting and catching up on each other’s lives.”

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Liquefying and mobilising toxins accumulated at at the tissue level

Day 1Masaba and Neena Gupta:• We checked into Villa Ganga, nestled in the lush greenery, and started off with a tness evaluation to understand workouts for our respective body types. • Following a short workout session wearing Ananda’s signature white kurta, pyjama and the rudrakash mala, we went in for a relaxing detoxifying salt scrub. • We then consulted a doctor who devised a diet based on our body type according to Ayurveda: vata, pitta or kapha. Ours was speciﬁc to the ‘pita dosha’, which meant cutting back on sugar, fruit, anything too spicy or sour and eating cooling foods and green veggies. He advised us on our meal timings, all of which helped in easing any digestion issues we’ve had in the past. • Chef Sandeep Biswas, head of culinary at Ananda, prepared a wholesome dinner high on ﬂavour but low on spice and oil. We loved the steamed ﬁsh with light ginger sauce and the miso soup from the Asian menu and the Garhwali thali from the Indian. Before every meal, we were given a watermelon-ginger juice to aid digestion. • The day ended with a ﬂute recital.

Bringing down the toxins into the circulatory channels for elimination

Day 2• MG and NG: We started the day with a long walk. This was when we bonded the most, as we hardly ever get to spend much time together anymore. • MG: My ﬁrst treatment was the detoxifying hydro therapy bath, where a salt scrub was rubbed all over my body before I stepped into a jacuzzi for a 30-minute relaxing water massage. The accompanying face and back massage took the relaxation a notch higher. My personal training sessions with Lakhan were a mix of high-intensity workouts and functional training. I’m a sucker for good massages, so Abhyanga for an hour is just what the doctor ordered. A synchronised massage by two therapists with sesame oil to release stress and tension ensued. I had come to Ananda after a gruelling fashion week; this helped me truly unwind. I slept so much better that night! • NG: My afternoon began with a 30-minute Ananda Touch session, where a blend of sunﬂower and wheat germ oil with a hint of rose was warmed and applied to my skin. Rhythmic ﬂowing movements over the back, shoulders, neck and scalp released deep-seated stress and relieved pains. The deep breathing calmed the mind… by the end of it I actually felt one with my body. This was followed by a circuit training routine, the Choornaswedana treatment (a massage with potlis ﬁlled with different kinds of oil), ﬁnally ending with Nasyam, a sinus clearing treatment where medicated oil is poured into your nostrils while you’re lying down. Once the oil reaches your throat, you have to spit it out to clean your sinus. You then have to sit up and breathe in the smoke from the wood that’s burnt to clear any other impurities you may have in your sinus. • MG and NG: The cleanses and the meditation sessions we did together worked really well to help connect our energies. All the stress and negativity that we brought with us here were slowly washed away, leaving us with a feeling of just being.

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Flushing out the toxins

Day 3• MG and NG: The day started early, at 8.30am, with Kunjal Kriya, where you drink two to three glasses of hot saline water before inducing purging to stimulate the upper digestive system.• NG: I then proceeded for my 45-minute session of yoga nidra (a simple shavasan, where you lie down and learn to completely relax your body). Lunch, like on all days of this retreat, was a wholesome experience. We enjoyed nature while connecting and catching up on each other’s lives. • MG: Post-lunch, I went in for the Choornaswedana treatment, which helped relieve my very stiff shoulder, release the pent-up tension and also left my skin much softer. Forty-ﬁve minutes later I did what was by far the most difficult but also the most beneﬁcial of all the treatments— Nasyam. Given that I have a history of asthma and respiratory issues, this is one of the treatments I will deﬁnitely return for.• NG: My evening ended with a 55-minute ancient Indian body mask that left me with a healthy glow.

Post-care and recuperation

Day 4• MG: Since I battle acidity and have digestion issues, I started my day with Lagushank Prankshalan, which clears the lower digestive system. Post-lunch, I opted for foot reﬂexology. The therapist could tell that my body was stiff due to stress, also the reason for most of my health issues. She suggested that I spend 30 minutes a day in silence and isolation— practising this has helped me immensely. • NG: My day started with a 30-minute session with the doctor to get an overview of my health. This was followed by a detoxifying aromatherapy session. • MG and NG: Ananda was unbelievably relaxing—we ended up sleeping better, our stomachs felt much leaner and lighter with each passing day and we actually preferred talking to each other over ﬁddling with our phones. We ended this much-needed wellness getaway with the powerful Gangaarti at Rishikesh, feeling blessed and grateful for the quality time we got to spend with each other, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.